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Henry shook his head. “No, it is just not easy to think of one that old. We are used to Garth and forget how long he has been here, and he was not a Commander at the start of the war. That makes him seem younger the few times we do realize it. It is also that we have never heard of him traveling. Others make a habit of it he however does not.”

Steven said softly. “Remember Shantel. When the Emperor of Glacier moves with his host, there is war on the horizon. That is likely why he no longer travels as he did before the duties were his. If he is coming then he thinks he needs to be here, that we need to stop talking trade.”

I said. “There always needs to be talk of friendship and commerce, it keeps the lands strong and that is support is needed. That said if he comes it is going to see other moves start. However we are not that far from it even should he not. He wishes to see the show and be a part of it, always did, but until recently felt it would speed things too much. Now he is not so sure his travel would change much.”

Jeffery said. “I do think you are all jumping at nothing. It is just a cycle. The attacks will drop back off, or would should a threat not be made. A threat though will see the war you dream comes. There is no need for this. It is just asking for trouble to have him come here. His greed is well known, it is upsetting enough that he sends an envoy. He should not be welcome.”

Steven shook his head. “The games are for all the allied lands. He is more than welcome to come, only those looking for a reason to fight will see a threat in his attendance. I travel with my six units, as do you and all the leaders here. Yet we are not thought to be making a threat. He should not be either. I will be delighted to have him.”

Henry said. “I did not in the least mean to sound upset. He is most welcome, of course, all are. It is just shocking given how little he is said to travel.”

I smiled. “I fully understand that, I was shocked as well. However he loves to watch the contests, and has missed being able to see them. The need for a big show just increases his desire to be here. As dose the growing number of ambassadors from outside the brotherhood.”

Roland said. “Yes there are indeed a number of new friends here.” There were some laughs. “I do not get just why he was so upset.”

I shook my head a bit. “Who likes to here they remind someone of a former partner? Then to he might have wanted to know just how close we are. After all given who I am and who Daren is I can better there have been a few questions about the unit being assigned to me. Some are going to see it as more than it is.”

Steven said. “Not that many, his participation in the exchange was announced and so few are surprised that his life is not here. As for them being under yours, well Glacier is known for having Royal units made up from other Nations. The few that think it will somehow make us a client sate are corrected by others long before anything is said directly to me. I do not see any problems, even should they become a part of wing.”

I shook my head a bit and looked at Roland. “Just what have you all been talking of?”

Roland smiled. “Not me, I haven’t said a thing to him, but you know I agree.”

Steven said. “It is easy to know that part of your concern is political. There is a war coming and we need the wings set. There are far too many that are heisting.”

I closed my eyes, he did have a point and well doing it this way might be better. Emporium was already going to come. “You know, Emporium is coming, it is the anniversary on the eve of a war. There are commanders without full wings and units with commanders.” Roland nodded and Steven was just a bit behind. I raised my voice, wanting to hear the reaction to this. “In the past on the eve of war a Rally Cry goes out and the units compete to win the commanders, as commanders battle for the units. The testing grounds are set, for it is not much different than the games that are soon to start.  We have long been separated it is time to heal, and I can think of no better way. So what do those here say? Shall we take up this forgotten way to forge anew our friendships?”

Steven said. “I do think that is a good idea. It would indeed solve that issue. I know I am not the only one who has Commanders and units that are not placed. That do not seem to fit. I remember little of the Crys, but I do know that it was found useful to solve those issues. Do we have all that we need?”

Henry said, stiffly. “It has been years, but we have the accommodations here as this land saw the last games, before it became just the Governors home. I have no objection to turning back to the Crown and taking on the duties that come with the honor of seeing the rebirth.” I looked at him oddly, just what was I missing? That was not needed, nor intended. If he did not want to host it why didn’t he just say that?

Steven said. “That was not what was intended. This is your home and no seeks to change that. Do you have a problem with the added events?”

Henry said. “I do not have a problem with them being held here. However they should be hosted by a Commander, I am just a governor. War is not something I every wish to be a part of. Therefore I am ceding that to you, and that means the house is once again yours, Your Majesty.” He bowed, and there were a few gasps, but I barely noticed as his words caused the barrier to fall all at once and if cut threw me as it did so. Then I realized it was all the shields, they were there but not imbedded as they had been he had just given up ownership magically for everything. Leavening a big gap in security. Just why would he?

I said. “That was not my intent. If you feel that way all you needed to do was say so. It was just a suggestion. It need not be taken, and there is no need for you to step aside if it is. If you feel it is not right then say that. There is no reason for you to forfeit you home. I do not think you realize what you just did.”

Henry said, stiffly. “I know what I did. I have no objection to the Cry being held, and will see everything is ready.”

Jeffery said. “It is indeed a year of the dead coming to life. What you will come up with is always shocking, Highness. I must say this is not the normal games. I will see if any wish to take part, but I do believe that we have no problem with unattached units. We strive to keep balanced and avoid promotion out of turn, in Flint. Still I will go get messages sent.”

I shook my head. “I did not mean the event had to happen I was sampling asking if it was wanted or needed. I have no idea how many lands are finding gaps. After all we have long been closed.”

Jeffery said. “I do wonder why none have approached you to ask about it, they certainly have in the meets the last few years. Likely they are waiting until they start. Trust me it is wanted by the majority. Few have a respect of balance, now then forgive me but I have messages to send.” He left.

Henry said. “It is your right to issues the Call, and as he said there has been request made for it in the last few years. I will go see that the preparations are started, with you permission, my Lords.”

Steven shook his head. “As you insist for the duration of the games only I will take over the tasks of host. However the house is yours to see too. I trust your judgment to see all is ready, do as you feel needed. I will get more staff in, as I know they will be needed.” Henry bowed and left, saying nothing more.

I wished I didn’t need to, but the problem needed to be fixed. Henry should have done this in privet and told him about the wards. “Sir when he gave you the house he magically terminated ownership.”

A man next to him palled. “I am sorry, I cannot feel shields like that. I will see to it now, but it will take me about fifteen minutes. Excuse, my lord but I need to withdraw to my room to set the wards.”

Steven said. “I have no idea what you mean, but go. You know you have leave to do as you feel needed.”

I said. “All are still in place, it just made a gap. The fast way to heal it is to just rest the ones you put up on arrival. I will see that the patrols are upped for the next hour, just to be safe.” The other man nodded and left at a fast walk. “I find it troubling that he did not say it himself. I do not understand any of his actions but that bothers me more than the words.” If only he had not said what he knew what he had done. “What it means is that there is now a space that something could get in without the wards alerting.” Steven went a bit red, instantly seeing the danger he had put us in. “It is a smaller risk that if the wards were down, but still a hazard. I will go see that Garth knows, and Rick will have men out. It is unlikely it is needed as it would likely only be detected by accident, but best to be safe.” I left not wanting to hear anything that was said. There were going to consequences for this. I just hoped that they were not made public. I had no idea that the Cry would be an issue.

I found Garth and Rick with a bunch of soldiers, therefore I bet they were ahead of me. Still best to be safe. “There is a minor glitch with the wards, likely nothing but patrols need to be doubled for the next hour and the grounds swept.”

Garth blinked and look at those standing there. “Greg you team has the next shift so tell them there on now and will just overlap tell change. Rest of you sweep. As you go tell the others that I will go over the detail of the games in the morning, but participation is up to the team captain.” They scared.

Rick said. “My guys are walking the grounds, now Highness. I was just trying to help explain what a Rally Cry is. This is going to fun, and Emporium is going to love that you did it. I do think he would have soon after he got here.”

Garth said. “No one can hear us here, one reason I like this corner. What would this slight issue be?”

I said. “The wards just need to be rest, they are still up but there is a gap. The mage seeing to it said it shouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes. I just want to leave plenty of time. Most times such gaps are only found by accident and they are common with house wards, but best to be safe.”

Garth shook his head. “Just what did that fool do? I saw the looks but couldn’t hear. Just why did he have a problem with the games? He has been pushing for them.”

I said. “The governor said he had no issues with the games being held but it was not his place to be host and so he felt it only right to turn those duties over to Steven. I did not mean to cause problems. It just seemed like a good fit.”

Garth shook his head. “I will go see if I can find out what hair took him now. You did nothing out of line. The Cry is needed, has been for ten years. There are to many rough wings around.”

I said. “It could be that I was the one to say it. I just. I expected Jeffery to be upset, and he is, but I didn’t think Henry would be. However it is done. I need to let my Father in law know he can indeed bring an army.” I shook my head a bit. With the shield down there will be some Fay teams that will come. “Rick tell the guys that there is going to be more house staff around as the rest of the rooms are going to be opened. I do not know that they will be allowed to help, but they can ask.” Smiling I left them, knowing they would be working out sweeps so they weren’t cross to much. No matter that I had said an hour they would be running all night.

I was glad when it was late enough I could leave, and even better managed to do so when Roland was. He turned to me. “That was well done and is just the thing that is needed. I bet anything that was just what Steven was working towards. Just know that you have to take part. Not just because I want to see the Ninjas settled, but it won’t look right that you called it but sit out.”

I nodded. “In truth it will help me a lot. I need to get my wing made now more than ever, and this way there is less worry over politics. I do think that is why the first Rally cry happened, some leader was tired of the complaints of favoritism.” He laughed and I wished I didn’t have to upset him. “Emporium’s exact words were he would try to wait until after the first attack by major demons but he was not sure he could, even sending Sharron’s team to me.” He stopped and looked at me. “Graceland has a formal part in route, it includes Harrold. My added guards should get here ahead of them, but it will be close and only do to a broken wheel. If they don’t make it Greg will join Nancy until they are here. I am not going to go anyplace without a guards.”

He shook his head. “I wish you would bind them, but at least you will after the Cry. Just when I thought we had enough. Those boys are summoning, Heather got a clear read on them.”

I shook my head. “Well if it helps, the Ninjas just might have found their jump team. They will bring to you when they are sure but I said I would warn you. Dev said that they were to see if they could find a match here, just send reports back to tell them what we were like. I told them to think it through, and think of what it would mean should I become the Commander in truth. However it is not going to matter Dev has been tied to me for years, for all I was not sure of the type.”